The rich colors of fall are here and with that comes the thought of thanksgiving too. Thanksgiving goes hand in hand with an extravagant dinner.
We all know what it feels like to be as stuffed as the turkey, but yet we still want to fit into our jeans the next day. Fear not- there are ways for to have a healthy Thanksgiving dinner without throwing away all the hard work so far this year.
Enjoy the turkey
Turkey meat is one of the healthiest lean meats you can enjoy. It packs a nutritional punch with lots of lean protein, vitamin B6, and zinc. It also contains selenium, niacin, and phosphorus in generous amounts.
Turkey is low in carbs, and a three-ounce serving contains fifteen grams of protein and three grams of carbs. What’s more, is this comes down only to eighty-seven calories!
Mind the sides
The sides certainly complement the Thanksgiving dinner. Even so, watch what you eat. Try not to go overboard with the stuffing or bread. It contains an alarming number of carbs, calories, and fat content. Likewise, it goes without saying that cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie are fairly high in sugar. This isn’t to say that you can’t indulge and enjoy all that Thanksgiving has to offer, but it is just a gentle reminder that we have to be mindful of what we’re eating. Indulge in the healthier dishes more than the other ones.
Settle the food down
It’s never too late to begin a new tradition. You can suggest that everyone goes out for a walk with the family after dinner. You can also play some soccer, basketball, or touch football in your garden or yard. These mild activities will get your heart rate up and help burn those extra calories you just took in. Not only that, but you’ll create healthy new traditions to pass down to the next generation.
Final thoughts
Thanksgiving dinner can be quite the weight-giving meal, which can undo weeks and months of commitment to a low carb lifestyle. Despite that, you can still keep healthy. Simply control the amount of food you eat as you usually do and don’t be tempted to go overboard. So if we wouldn’t normally eat 2-3 plates of food at a sitting because we’re keen to treat our body right, then there’s no reason we should do it on Thanksgiving day.
Unfortunately, we also have a lot to think about this year due to the COVID-19 situation. This will mean smaller family gatherings and perhaps even virtual Thanksgiving meals in some cases. So it may actually be easier to follow a healthy eating plan for those families who choose to do things a bit differently this year.
Whatever you do this Thanksgiving, here’s a big hat’s off to all of you and your hard work so far this year…let’s have a happy, healthy, holiday season together!